Quick release valve cover

Abstract

A quick release valve cover for internal combustion engines, having housing 11 attachable to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, and upper cap 12. Hinge arms 16 are provided for attachment to the top of the upper cap 12 at hinge supports 25. Hinge arms 16 are adapted for engagement with the cam of locking arms 20 and hinge sections 19 and the slots of hinge sections 19. Elastomeric "O"-ring seal 23 is disposed within seal groove 22 of housing 11 to provide a seal between upper cap 12 and lower housing 11.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A quick release valve cover for the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine which comprises: cylinder head housing means, having openings at the top and bottom for circumferentially enclosing the upper perimeter of a cylinder head, said housing being sealably and removably attached to and extending upwardly from the perimeter of said cylinder head a distance only sufficient to prevent leakage of entrapped oil and low enough to allow lateral access to valves adjusting mechanisms located atop the cylinder head;   an upper cap operably attached to said cylinder head housing means for covering the valve adjusting mechanism located atop of the cylinder head, and whose external contiguous surfaces conform dimensionally with those of said cylinder head housing means;   housing sealing means operably disposed between said cylinder head housing means and the upper cap for sealing the joint between the housing means and upper cap to prevent the leakage of oil;   upper cap holding and locking means for securing said upper cap to the housing means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sealing means further comprises: a continuous "O"-ring sealing groove disposed upon and within the upper surface of the cylinder head housing means for containing a continuous "O"-ring seal for sealing the joint between the housing means and the upper cap;   an elastomeric "O"-ring disposed with said sealing groove for forming a resilient elastomeric seal between said housing and upper cap.   
     
     
       3. A quick release valve cover for the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine which comprises: cylinder head housing means, having openings at the top and bottom for circumferentially enclosing the upper perimeter of a cylinder head, said housing being sealably and removably attached to and extending upwardly from the perimeter of said cylinder head a distance only sufficient to prevent leakage of entrapped oil and low enough to allow lateral access to valves adjusting mechanisms located atop the cylinder head, said cylinder head housing means being of generally rectangular shape and having first and second longer and opposing sides;   a plurality of hinge flanges attached to the first and second longer sides in opposed relationship;   an upper cap for covering the valve adjusting mechanism located atop of the cylinder head, whose external contiguous surfaces conform dimensionally to those of said cylinder head housing means;   a plurality of hinge supports attached to the top of the upper cap, each disposed in the lateral line defined by the pairs of opposing hinge flanges;   a plurality of hinge arms each pivotally attached to a hinge flange on a first longer side and attached to the corresponding hinge support atop the upper cap, having an extended portion adapted for extension along the line defined by the pair of opposing hinge flanges to a location above the hinge flange of the second longer side, and adapted for insertion into a hinge section slot and further adapted for interaction with the cam of a locking arm;   a plurality of hinge sections pivotally attached at one end to the opposing hinge flanges on the second longer side, and having slots at their other ends for receiving the extended portion of the hinge arms;   a plurality of locking arms, having cams at one end, said locking arms pivotally attached at their camed end to the slotted end of the hinge sections for insertion of the cam into the slots by pivotal rotation of the locking arms;   a continuous "O"-ring sealing groove disposed upon and within the upper surface of the cylinder head housing means for containing a continuous "O"-ring for sealing the joint between the housing means and the upper cap;   an elastomeric "O"-ring disposed within said sealing grove for forming a resilient elastomeric seal between said housing and upper cap.